New suspensions provide another setback for struggling Ohio State

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerOffensive lineman Mike Adams is the lone suspended 2010 starter who figures to be back in the lineup for Ohio State this weekend.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After Ohio State's 10-7 loss to Michigan State on Saturday, the Buckeyes were grateful for anything to lift their spirits. They found that in the expected return of three offensive starters, senior receiver DeVier Posey, senior running back Dan Herron and senior left tackle Mike Adams, scheduled to come back Saturday against Nebraska after five-game suspensions.

"I'm not gonna lie," senior center Mike Brewster said after Ohio State gained only 178 yards in the loss. "We need them out there. They've got all the experience, plus the talent. I know we definitely need them."

"It'll definitely give us some confidence to get those older guys back," junior fullback Zach Boren said. "We're in a ditch right now."

When the 3-2 Buckeyes get to Nebraska to face the No. 14 Cornhuskers on Saturday night, Posey and Herron, two vocal players viewed by many as leaders, won't be there to pull them out. Those seniors, as well as sophomore starting right guard Marcus Hall, have been suspended for at least one game for committing NCAA violations after Ohio State said they were overpaid for their work at the company of OSU booster Bobby DiGeronimo.

Adams and backup defensive end Solomon Thomas, who were also suspended for five games in the tattoo scandal that came to light in December, were not involved in the latest violations and will be reinstated.

For a struggling offense in need of a spark, the absences of Posey and Herron will continue to be felt. Receiver Corey "Philly" Brown, the top target in Posey's absence, may be able to return against Nebraska after missing three games with an ankle sprain. But receiver Verlon Reed, who was also a starter while Posey was suspended, could be out after hurting his knee on the final onside kick against Michigan State.

Herron is the Buckeyes' toughest runner inside and has the best knack among the running backs for finding holes. His return was anticipated especially since holes were hard to come by Saturday. On the offensive line, Andrew Norwell has played well at left tackle in Adams' absence. With Hall out, shuffling on the line could find both Adams and Norwell in the starting lineup. Or Corey Linsley could start for Hall.

The uncertainty continues, which at some point must affect a team's preparation.

Before the first two games of the season, the Buckeyes dealt with the late-week suspensions of running back Jordan Hall, cornerback Travis Howard and safety Corey Brown. Now, just when the team thought it was ready to move on, it was called into a 3 p.m. meeting by coach Luke Fickell just before Monday's 3:30 news conference.

"Obviously, Luke was disappointed," Athletic Director Gene Smith said. "I tried to keep him informed throughout the process, the potential realities that we might be here. He's disappointed, but as you well know he's a fighter and, using his words, a grinder. At the end of the day he understands we have to move on."

But with which players?

While the other Buckeyes involved obtained less than $300 in extra pay, Posey was cited for receiving more than $700, and that amount very well could lead to a multi-game suspension. Posey also committed a violation by accepting a free round of golf, which may not help his cause. And Posey, Herron, Hall and defensive lineman Melvin Fellows, who is out for the year with an injury and therefore not facing suspension, all did some of their overpaid work for DiGeronimo this year, after compliance issues were first heightened when the tattoo scandal broke last December.

Former Buckeye and current ESPN commentator Chris Spielman suggested on the Buckeye Roundtable radio show Monday night that two-time violators, like Posey and Herron, should be dismissed from the team, for their good and the good of the program.

On or off the field, there's not a lot of good around the Buckeyes right now.

Time set: The Ohio State game at Illinois on Oct. 15 has been set for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

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